Origin & Meaning of the Poor Surname
What does the last name Poor mean?
The surname Poor carries the meaning "Family name of European origin." It is derived from the European language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 3,303 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Poor ranks as the #9,800 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Poor come from?
The Poor surname has its roots in European heritage. Names of European origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Poor name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Poor trace back to European. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Poor |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Family name of European origin |
| Origin | European |
| Language | European |
| US Rank (2010) | #9,800 |
| US Count (2010) | 3,303 |
| Per 100K People | 1.12 |
| First Letter | P |
Ethnic Distribution of Poor
According to the US Census, the Poor surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 3,303 Americans with the Poor last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 92.37% |
| Black | 1.0% |
| Hispanic | 3.15% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.88% |
| Native American | 1.33% |
| Two or More Races | 1.27% |
Popularity of Poor Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Poor surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Poor surname increased by 18 between 2000 and 2010.
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Other European Surnames
Explore more surnames with European roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same European origin as Poor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Poor
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